U.S. rights envoy says Vietnam still lagging, cites trade pact risk

HANOI (Reuters) - Vietnam is showing progress on human rights but
must signal stronger commitment to win over hesitant U.S.
legislators who could complicate the country's accession to a
lucrative Pacific trade pact, a top American official said on
Monday.

Tom Malinowski said he had seen Vietnam show more restraint this
year, with fewer political prisoners and no new dissident
prosecutions, but gains were fragile and "very significant
problems" remained.

"Vietnam has come a tremendous distance but there's still some
distance to go," Malinowski, Assistant Secretary of State for
Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, told reporters after an annual
human rights dialogue.

"We know that reform in Vietnam is going to be a long-term
process but there's also the urgency of now."

The United States has been intensifying efforts in building
stronger ties with Vietnam - in health, education, environment,
energy and recently military - to boost its clout in Asia and
offset China's influence.

But human rights has been a sticking point, with Washington
critical of Vietnam's zero-tolerance handling of dissent.
Malinowski said harassment, threats and violence were still
happening.

Malinowski met officials from Vietnam's Ministry of Public
Security, the internal security agency he said would be pivotal
in deciding how far bilateral ties can grow.

"The MPS hold the key to realizing that potential," he said.

The two countries are seeking to conclude talks on a
Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a trade pact from which
Vietnam's manufacturing, exports-led economy stands to gain most
among the dozen nations expected to become its founder members.

Malinowski appealed to hardliners to allow greater freedoms and
allay "serious and legitimate concerns" about Vietnam in
Congress.

"The economic and strategic benefits of being part of TPP vastly
outweigh any reason why some in the government might fear taking
that step," he said.

"It's not just a vote on trade, I see it as the most important
vote on human rights the congress will be taking all year."

Phil Robertson of Human Rights Watch in Asia, said only a
reformed Vietnam should be considered as a TPP partner.

"No one should mistake the holding of another round of diplomatic
talks as meaning that Vietnam has committed to take actual steps
to improve its dire human rights record," he said prior to the
talks.